10/30/2026
The park I’d choose for a family Christmas trip with kids isn’t the one you’d think 👀
Here’s what no one is talking about: Disney’s holiday parties are separately ticketed, and they run late into the night. That’s a tough ask for little ones who are wiped out by 8 PM.
Universal solves that problem. Almost everything is included with your regular park ticket, and it all happens at family-friendly hours: an early evening parade, afternoon shows, and breakfast options that let you start the magic in the morning.
Here’s what’s happening at Universal Orlando for the holidays, November 14 through January 3:
🎄 Christmas in the Wizarding World: Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and the Ministry of Magic at Epic, all decked out, plus the Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle projection show every night around sunset and running every 20 minutes.
💚 Grinchmas in Seuss Landing: meet the Grinch himself, and catch the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular in the afternoon. The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast is the one extra ticket here, and it sells out fast.
🎈 Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s in Universal Studios: the actual full-size Macy’s balloons, early in the evening, plus Santa lighting the tree at the end of the night.
✨ Epic Universe is doing a full Christmas Celebration for the first time: Snoggletog in the Isle of Berk, holiday decor in Super Nintendo World, a cosmic winter wonderland in Celestial Park, plus seasonal snacks and treats all over the park.
No separate party ticket. No keeping little ones up past midnight. Just Christmas magic at hours that actually work for families.
Thinking about a Universal holiday for your own family this year? It’s not too late! First follow me, then comment UNI and I’ll send you my FREE Universal planning guide.
And if you already know you’d like help with the planning, send me a message and I’ll send you my trip planning questionnaire so we can get started 🙌
